US fighter jets target ISIL in Libya for first time

Washington says air raids aimed at backing Libyan forces seeking to retake city of Sirte from the group.

02 Aug 2016 11:16 GMT

Correction, 2/8: An earlier version of this story said Libya's unity government was called the Government of National Authority. This was incorrect. It is the Government of National Accord.

US fighter jets have carried out air raids on positions of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in the Libyan city of Sirte for the first time, according to the country's unity government.

"The first American air strikes on precise positions of the Daesh (ISIL) organisation were carried out today, causing heavy losses ... in Sirte," Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj said in a speech on television on Monday.

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The Pentagon said the raids were launched in response to a request from the unity government, known as the Government of National Accord (GNA).

Al Jazeera's Rosiland Jordan, reporting from Washington DC, said the Libyan army had asked for air support after facing booby traps, mines, and roadside bombs in and around Sirte.

"ISIL made it physically very difficult to follow them as ISIL strengthens their grip on the heart of the city," she said.

"These air strikes are a way of clearing the terrain and making it safer for Libyan troops to advance."

The battle will become more complex as it moves closer to the centre of the city because there are many civilians there who could get caught in the crossfire, Jordan said.

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Speaking to reporters, Pentagon press secretary Peter Cook said the US would continue to carry out air raids in coordination with the GNA.

"The specific targets will be precision targets," Cook said. "One of the targets struck today was a tank ... the United States military will be rigorously involved in every step of the process.